Pa. Commw. Ct. Election Proceedings Sample Scheduling Order

IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

IN RE: :

NOMINATION PETITIONS/PAPERS:

OF ___________________________ : No. *

SCHEDULING and CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER

PER CURIAM

NOW, _________, upon consideration of the Petition to S et Aside

Nomination Petitions/Papers (Objection Petition):

1. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

A. Hearing on the Objection Petition is scheduled for

________________________________________, in Courtroom Number ______,

_______________________________________________________, Pennsylvania.

Objector is directed to secure the services of a court stenographer for the hearing, who

shall be expected to remain for the duration of the hearing and produce an expedited

transcript of the hearing. Failure of Objector to secure the services of a court

stenographer may result in the dismissal of this matter.

B. If signature lines are challenged, Objector shall secure, by request

or subpoena, the presence of a Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors ( SURE)

system operator at the hearing.

C. Service of the Objection Petition on Candidate and this Order on

all parties is complete upon the posting of the Objection Petition and this Order on the

Court’s website in accordance with this Court’s Notice and Order in In re: Objections

to Nomination Petitions, Papers, and Certificates of Candidates for Statewide and

State-Level Office (Pa. Cmwlth., No. 126 Misc. Dkt. No. 3, January 22, 2026).

D. At the hearing, Objector shall offer proof of timely service of the

Objection Petition on the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

2. It is FURTHER ORDERED that the parties shall comply with

the following in advance of the hearing:

A. Objector shall file a list of all witnesses to be called at the hearing

and the curriculum vitae and expert report for each expert witness. Any witness not

identified may be precluded from testifying except for good cause shown.

B. Candidate shall file a list of all witnesses to be called at the hearing

and the curriculum vitae and expert report for each expert witness. Any witness not

identified may be precluded from testifying except for good cause shown.

3. If signature line challenges are at issue, it is FURTHER

ORDERED that the parties shall comply with the following in advance of the

hearing:

A. Objector and Candidate or Candidate’s representative and, if

appropriate, a SURE system operator, shall make a good-faith effort to promptly meet

to review each and every challenged signature line in advance of any deadlines set

forth herein. This meet and confer process is mandatory.

B. Objector and Candidate shall file a stipulation of the parties that

identifies:

(a) the total number of completed signature lines

submitted;

(b) the total number of uncontested signature

lines submitted;

(c) the total number of signature lines

challenged;

(d) each and every signature line to which there

is an objection, identified by page number

and line number, and the basis for the

objection;

(e) each and every signature line to be stricken as

invalid or for which an objection is to be

withdrawn, identified by page number and

line number, if the parties can reach such a

stipulation.

C. Candidate shall file a list of all signature lines, identified by page

number and line number, that are facially defective and that Candidate intends to

rehabilitate. Candidate shall also state the manner in which Candidate intends to

rehabilitate the signature lines.

4. Objector and Candidate may each file a memorandum of law in

support of their respective positions. No further memoranda will be permitted unless

ordered by the Court.

5. Unless otherwise ordered, the parties shall file all items required or

permitted by paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 of this Order no later than 48 hours in advance of

the hearing. Filing may be accomplished electronically by PACFile (the Pennsylvania

appellate court electronic filing system) or in person with the Prothonotary at the

Pennsylvania Judicial Center, Suite 2100, 601 Commonwealth Avenue, P.O. Box

69185, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9185. Parties may not file by facsimile or email without

express prior permission from the Court.

6. Failure to comply with any provision of this O rder in good faith

may preclude the noncompliant party from entering any evidence, and may result in

the imposition of costs and/or monetary sanctions.